PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for Gulf War Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Sleep Apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or connection to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including a provisional diagnosis of PTSD but no definitive link between military stressors and the condition, the Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks, secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, hearing loss, and left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since December 2009. The Board granted a 100% rating for PTSD, finding that the disability results in total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent effective June 26, 2006. A temporary 100 percent rating for inpatient treatment was assigned from January 9 to April 1, 2007.,In April 2013, the Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70 percent effective January 22, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxiety has been rated at 30 percent, effective July 13, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 50 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD, as his most recent evaluation was conducted in March 2011 and he testified that his condition has worsened.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and medical records, as well as requesting Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran is also scheduled to undergo a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 50 percent effective March 8, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 100 percent since May 7, 2009.

The Veteran's initial rating for left shoulder impingement syndrome remains at 10 percent, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is denied.,No new evidence of a current diagnosis or causal link to service was provided.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective December 22, 2010. The appeal for higher ratings and reopening of service connection claims were withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and he was assigned a combined rating of 20 percent effective July 25, 2007. An additional attorney fee of $909.60 is awarded based on the 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety were denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The hearing loss claim was denied as the Veteran does not have a ratable disability, while tinnitus is considered incurred in service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, bipolar disorder, and COPD, is being considered as part of this reopening.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder in service or currently, and thus, the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied. For his knee disabilities, the Board finds that the June 2011 VA examination report provides sufficient information to determine that a higher evaluation than 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was previously denied due to lack of service treatment records or post-service treatment records, and inability to verify claimed stressors. However, new evidence has been submitted that relates the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis to an in-service stressor, thus reopening the claim and granting service connection.